Sphinx 1984

Boris Vallejo's 'Sphinx' is a trip, painted sometime in the 20th century, I'm guessing. Look at that crimson haze, the way the figures emerge from the depths of the painting. I imagine Vallejo, brush in hand, layering thin washes of paint, building up the forms bit by bit. A little more red, a touch of umber, then a highlight to bring out the glint in the lion’s eye. I mean, this is all about surface and texture, right? The skin has a luminous, almost translucent quality. Is it airbrushed? I don't know, but I'm into it. And that tree! Those tangled branches clawing at the air – it’s like the painting is reaching out to grab you. I can almost feel the tension in the artist's hand as he painted that claw-like hand. Think about how different this is from a Rothko. Vallejo just wants to grab you, pull you in! Artists build on each other, we are all in this cosmic soup of mark-making.